Russellville officials are expected to reconsider an improvement project at Weir Road and State Highway 124 after a meeting Tuesday with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD).

For several years, the AHTD and city of Russellville have discussed the need for improvements at the Weir Road and Highway 124 intersection. In 2011, the City Council passed a resolution agreeing to partner with AHTD to complete the project. The city would match 50 percent of the project cost, with a maximum contribution of $3 million.

The project has been on hold since last month, when the City Council postponed indefinitely a measure that would incorporate portions of Highways 124 an 326 (Weir Road) into Russellville’s street system upon completion of the project.

Tuesday’s meeting was hosted by the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee and was attended by members of that committee, city officials and AHTD representatives.

AHTD deputy director and chief engineer Frank Vozel gave a brief history of the project and city officials were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the city’s obligations.

Alderman Martin Irwin asked what portion of the proposed improvements — which extend to Crow Mountain Road — were in the city limits, though other aldermen noted the project would benefit the city regardless of which portions were inside city limits.

“It may not be within the city limits, but something that I look at — it may not physically be in the city limits, but those people are coming into the city of Russellville to spend their tax dollars, so I think that has to be taken into consideration,” Alderman Mark Tripp said.

Vozel said work on the project could resume if the city revisited and approved the ordinance agreeing to take portions of Highway 124 from Arkansas Avenue to Weir Road and a portion of Highway 326 between Hob Nob Road and Highway 124. If the city acts quickly, he said the project could be put to bid by December 2014, allowing for time to acquire right of ways and move utilities.

Aldermen present at the meeting indicated they were open to reviving the project. Mayor Bill Eaton said he planned to look into bringing the matter before the council as early as next week.